“Again the focus on test scores, which are not as important as GPA”
Tell that to Oxbridge, which doesn’t care about GPA at all. It’s logical to conclude that US test scores aren’t that “important” (by which I presume you mean for being successful in college) because US students do lots of continually assessed busy work rather than the high stakes end of year exams that are all important for UK students. Horses for courses.
Which is better for doing a regular job? Probably the former. Which is better for success at the top levels of academia (and perhaps other areas)? I can see arguments for the latter.